Packaging machine, particularly the blocks therefor



P. CRRRINO June 3, 1952 PACKAGING MACHINE; PARTICULARLY THE BLOCKS THEREFOR 2 SI- IEETSSHEET 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1947 4i la -1P llvvtwmz PASQUALE cAzxe/No BY ATTORNEY June 3, 1952 P. CARRINO 2,599,369

PACKAGING MACHINE, PARTICULARLY THE BLOCKS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 21, 1947 2 Sl-lEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOQ PASQUALE CARR/N0 Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED STATES PACKAGING MACHINE, PARTICULARLY THE BLOCKS THEREFOR Pasquale Carrino, Pass-aic, N. J.

Application January 21, 1947, Serial No. 723,326

2 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in packaging machines and particularly to that type of machine wherein formed boxes or other containers are fed through the machine and in their passage are lined.

More specifically my invention is directed to packaging machines wherein thelining material is formed or shaped in the machine, inserted into the container and then the lined container is discharged from the lining station.

Still more specifically my invention is directed to an improvement in packaging machines wherein the container liners are formed successively about a series of members commercially known as blocks, these blocks advancing intoregister successively with the containers to be lined, where the container and liner are caused to telescope each other while the liner is still in place on the block. The lined container is then allowed to fall by gravity away from the block.

This is conventional practice, and this general type of packaging machine is in wide use.

I might go further and mention that the lined containers are then advanced to a filling station, filled with whatever material is being packaged, sealed, and discharged from the machine ready for shipment, all in a continuous operation.

These machines are very complicated and are fully automatic in operation, so that it is very important that their operation be as nearly perfect and fool-proof as possible.

In my experience with these machines extending over a period of several years I have found considerable difilculty in obtaining proper discharge of the lined containers from the blocks, despite the fact that it is quite usual to attach the lining to the container by the use of a suitable adhesive. In forming the liners the lin-' ing material is shaped on the blocks, fitting the same fairly snugly so that there is a decided reluctance for the liners to leave the blocks as the containers are to be discharged from the blocks. The condition appears to be aggravated when the atmosphere of the room where the machine is being operated is too warm although trouble is experienced even in cool weather. Under warm conditions. when a waxed paper is being employed for the liners, there is a tendency for the lining material to become tacky and to cling to the block. A certain amount of the wax of the paper will clin to the block so that eventually the machine .becomes clogged and must be stopped in order that the block or blocks may be cleaned. Despite all precautions and warnings the attendant at such a machine will often try to free the block while the machine is running. This is dangerous practice and may result in the loss of a hand or arm.

One of the objects of my invention is to improve the construction of these blocks whereby these diificulties are overcome, my improved block being a decided improvement over existing structures even when lining material which is not of a sticky or tacky nature is employed, in that regardless of the lining material employed my improved construction promotes the easy, rapid and sure discharge of the lined containers from the blocks.

More specifically my invention provides a construction wherein when the blocks carrying the lined containers progress to the discharging station the blocks are reduced in dimension so as to be drawn away from the liners, allowing the container with its liner to fall away from the block.

As will be brought out in the detailed description to follow, I have shown a block which is generally rectangular in cross section. I wish it to be understood that this is merely illustrative and not by way of limitation, in that the invention is not limited to this one specific shape. It will be appreciated also from the description to follow that while but one side of the block is made collapsible this too is for illustrative purposes only.

Inasmuch as packaging machines of the general type to which my invention relates are a well known article of commerce, I have deemed it unnecessary to illustrate a complete machine. my drawings for purposes of clarity being confined to that part of the machine in which my invention has been incorporated.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a packagingmachine block embodying my invention; A

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the block of Fig. 1,

showing the block turned through 9 Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the block at Fig. 1 showing the block contracted or collapsed;-

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of a part of a packaging machine at the station where the lined containers are discharged from the blocks; and

Fig. 6 is a view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 2 designates the blocks of a packaging machine, these blocks being carried, as is customary practice, on an endless, driven chain 4. 1

As above pointed out, in machines of this general type the liners for the containers 6 are formed in the machine directly about the blocks.

The unlined containers are advanced in spaced relation to the spaced blocks 2 by a suitable conveyer 8 equipped with suitable supports l upon which the containers rest. The arrangement is such that as each container advances into Proximity to at 1iner, .on one of the blocks 2 the. container and: liner will telescope each other to line the container. This is illustrated at the extreme left in Fig. 5 where the container and liner have been brought together into container-lined position.

The lower lead of the chain 4 and upper lead of the conveyer 8 are traveling from left. to right:

as viewed in Fig. 5.

Upon further advance of the container andblock the lower end of the container overlapsz a stationary platform l2, and leaves the conveyer support 111., The further advance of the chain 4 advances the container and liner assembly tov the discharge station where the lined container drops upon a conveyer belt [4 which carries it to filling equipment (not. shown) where the boxes are filled, sealed and discharged from the machine.

Asabove explained difficulty is experienced in these machines with effecting the certain discharge of the lined containers 6 from the blocks 2. This is particularlytroublesome on warm days and where, the lining material is inclined to be tacky. The difficulty is due. apparently to the liner actually sticking to the block because of its tendencyto tackiness or tothe close conformity of the liner to the shape of the blocks,

the liners beingformed directlyon the blocks with.

the. blocks functioning as a form therefor, or both of' these factors. may contribute to the difiiculty. Itmust be borne in mind also, that the lower end oi, the. container is, closed. which also has a tendency to prevent ready sliding of the.

lined containers of}; the blocks.

Inasmuch. as. the entire. machine, is automatic in operation. it will be appreciated that clogging of, the machine due to failure of the lined 0011- tainers being discharged properly, will slow up the entire machine and necessitate stoiipage of the machine. Then, again there is the danger of an attendant attempting to clear the machine without shutting it down.

In order that the many difliculties and drawbacks above referred to in. a general, fashion may "beovercomer I. have provided. the construction best illustrated inFi'gs. I. to 4".

Referring to these fig r s in detaiL, it will be seen that each bloclg has, been. shown as substantially rectangular in cross section, and is equipped at. one end with. suitable formation It whereby-it may be secured to the chain 4.

It is to be understood that they shape of the block' will depend upon. the shape of the container to be lined; as will be appreciated by those skilled'in this; art.

Interior-lyof the block, and. mounted for oscillation inthe block ends is a rod I83, preferably-fiatat least on one face-as shown at 28..

Fastened to the fiat face 20 of this rod are two angle irons 2-2 and 24 adjacent the inner and outer ends of the block.

Theside 2-8 of the block facing the angle irons- Z2 and 24 is milled out or formed; with a. rectangular slot which receives an elongated member 28 slidablelaterally transversely of the block as viewed in Fig. 1.

I! is slotted addacent. its inner and outer ends as seen at 30 for the reception of the outer ends of plates 32, attached to 28 by pins 34. These plates extend toward the rod 18, and the inner end of each of these plates 32 is attached to the base of each of the angle irons 22 and 24 by pins 36. By this arrangement oscillation of the rod I8 will effect lateral movement of, the. laterally slidable. elongated member 28, toward and; away from the axis of the block.

Secured to the outer face of the member 28 is a fiat plate 38 which functions as the side of the block; this plate being secured to the member 28 by screws 40 or in some other fashion so. that the two are rigid and immovable with respect to each other.

Rigidlysecured tothe inner end of the rod I8 is an. actuating arm 42 projecting at right angles to the rod and carrying a roller 44. A spring 43 is attached to the arm 42 and to. some fixed part of the block.

It will be seen from the description thus far given that if. the rod 18 be rotated against the action of the spring 46, the plate 38; will be drawn inwardly of the block, to contract the block as illustrated in Fig. 4, and that upon release of the rod is the parts. will be restored to the position illustrated in Fig l.

Revertingto Figs, 5 an'dG of the drawings, it will be seen that 48 designates a. cam secured to the frame of the machine in position to bev engaged: by a roller 44 of actuating arm 42 as each block comes up to the discharge station for the lined containers;

From all of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that as the lined containers leave the supports I!) of conveyor 8; they. will be transferred by the blocks 2; to the platform l2. As they. are adj-. vanced along this platform by the blocks, each container isengaged successively by a roller 50 which bears; against the face of the, container and is driven from any suitable power; source and cooperates with a roller- 52' carried by the block. Further advance of the block brings. the roller 41'; into engagement with. the stationary cam 48- contracting the plate or side 38 of the. block" thereby' to; draw this side away from, the liningentirely to permit. the lined container to drop upon the conveyor [4. After the block passes the cam 48- the spring-48 will restore. the. block to its original dimensions; It should be noted, and as illustratediinF-ig. 4; that the bloc isso constructed that" on contraction the plate 38' moves inwardlyan appreciable distance be.-.

- yond the plane of the blocktface; and; that. on. ex-

panding the plate moves outwardly a short. distance beyond? the block face. I have found from experience that, this is desirable. in that, I am assured the plate 38 will move. out of contact with the container liner;

It will be seenfrom all off the foregoing that, I have provided an arrangement for promoting, discharge of" the lined containers from; the blocks of a pacijzagingmachine and that my'constructlon is simple and positive in its operation;

It will be appreciated by' those skilled in this. art: that the trouble so prevalent in this general typeof machine of failure ofthelined containers to; discharge properly is; eliminated with, the elimination ofmachine stoppages from this cause.

Whilelhave illustrated-and describedaspeciflc embodiment of my invention, it is to; be; under-- stood. that changes may be made: in; the details of construction and arrangement of parts cs1!"- lustrated and described within the purview of my invention.

It is to be understood also, that another and several sides of the block may be contracted and expanded without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is to be understood furthermore, that blocks other than those which are rectangular in cross section fall within the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a packaging machine, the combination of a series of blocks, each carryinga container liner; means for telescoping each block and container liner with a container; forwarding means for forwarding the telescoped blocks and containers successively to a discharge or unloading station, one side of each block being movable bodily laterally, inwardly and outwardly, relative to the block; a rotatable member within each block, attached to the movable block side and extending to the block exterior; a cam-operated arm carried by each rotatable member; and a cam at the discharge or unloading station engaged successively by said arm to rotate said rotatable member to move the side of each block inwardly thereby to facilitate discharge of the lined containers from the blocks.

2. In a packaging machine, the combination of a series of blocks, each carrying a container liner; means for telescoping each block and liner with a container; forwarding means for forward- 6 ing the telescoped blocks and containers successively to a discharge or unloading station, one side of each block being laterally movable bodily, inwardly and outwardly, relative to the block; a rotatable member within each block attached to said bodily movable side and extending to the block exterior; a cam-operated arm carried by each rotatable member; a cam at the discharge or unloading station engaged by each arm as each block arrives at the discharge or unloading station, whereby the arms will be deflected successively to actuate the movable side of each block inwardly of the block, thereby to prevent clinging of the container liner to the block and facilitating removal of the lined containers from the blocks; and means for restoring the block side to its original position when its arm advances out of contact with the cam.

PASQUALE CARRINO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 733,509 Reed July 14, 1903 1,247,238 Doble et al Nov. 20, 1917 1,342,375 Wentworth June 8, 1920 2,162,263 Lindholm et al. June 13, 1939 2,446,798 Vergobbi Aug. 10, 1948 

